6 Signs Its Time to Use a Booking System for Small Businesses

Updated: 16 Apr 2024

If you own a small business, you may take on many roles. However, as your business grows, you’ll need to find solutions to help you manage the workload. If you spend a lot of time bogged down with administrative tasks, an online booking system for small businesses can help you get your life back. 

If you are wondering whether or not your small business is ready to make the jump to an online reservation system, read through the key signs below. We will discuss how you know it's time to use an online booking system, what the benefits of using booking software are, and why Bookinglayer is one of the best online booking systems for small businesses. 

6 Signs It’s Time to Start Using an Online Reservation System

If you are running a small business, it is all too easy to get caught up in day-to-day tasks. However, if you want to grow, it is essential to take a step back to look at your business and how you can optimise your operations. As a business owner running retreats, surf hostels, sports camps or other programmes, you should watch out for these six signs that you could benefit from using an online booking system.  

The Booking Process Takes Multiple Days 

If your booking process requires multiple phone calls, emails, or other interactions, it’s time to consider an online reservation system. Having a quick and streamlined booking process will not only create a better guest experience, but it will also increase booking rates and reduce the administrative costs associated with securing a booking. With an online booking system, guests can book instantly and around the clock. 

You Constantly Deal With Double Bookings and Other Errors 

If you are currently recording bookings manually, your business is vulnerable to double bookings, missed reservations, and other errors that can result in bad reviews and loss of income.

If you have run into these issues, you know how chaotic and frustrating it can be. Thankfully, using an online booking system for small businesses can help you reduce errors, as everything is automated and tracked through the software. 

Guest Communication Is Inconsistent and Time Consuming

From pre-arrival guest communication to payment confirmations to welcome home messages, guest communication matters. However, when you are doing everything on your own, communication is often inconsistent, which means some guests miss out on essential information. 

In addition, you may be spending hours each day answering questions and confirming bookings, which is time you can’t spend on other tasks or out doing the things you love. With an online system, you can automate guest communication, sending confirmation emails and other messages automatically. This not only saves time but also ensures that your guests receive consistent and timely communication.

You Spend a Lot of Time on Administration

Small business owners often find themselves overwhelmed by administrative tasks. Whether it is scheduling bookings, messaging guests, or assigning instructors, these tasks can take up a lot of time. In fact, one study conducted by the Federation of Small Businesses in the United Kingdom found that small business owners spend an average of 33 hours each month on administration.

In the same study, 67 per cent of business owners said that working on administrative tasks prohibited them from working on the primary focus of the business. If this resonates with you, it might be time to invest in a booking system. One of the main benefits of an online reservation system is that all of these tasks can also be fully automated, freeing up your time to focus on what matters most.

Your Team Isn’t on the Same Page 

If your team isn’t on the same page when it comes to managing reservations and customer information, it’s time to consider an online booking system. With an online system, all of your team members can access the same information, ensuring that everyone has all the information they need to do their jobs properly. 

You Have to Track Down Payments From Guests 

Do you constantly have to track down payments from guests? Then it’s time to migrate to an online booking system for small businesses. With an online system, you can automate the payment process, sending invoices and collecting payments automatically. This not only saves time but also reduces the chances of errors or missed payments. Plus, you won’t have to pester guests about making payments during their stay. 

The Benefits of Using a Booking System for Small Businesses

Implementing a booking system in small businesses provides a range of benefits that can help improve current operations and create opportunities for growth. Plus, according to data from Statista, 74 per cent of the revenue from the travel and tourism market will be captured online by 2027. If you are wondering if it’s time for your small business to use an online reservation system, consider the benefits below. 

• Better organization. Having one clear, authoritative source for guest and booking information will make your whole team’s lives easier. Online reservation systems are accurate, up to date, and accessible, making it easier for your team to stay organized. 

• Improved customer service. Using an online booking engine and automated guest messaging will improve the overall guest experience significantly. Plus, some online booking systems even allow your guests to make changes to their reservations independently, so they can easily add to or change their packages as needed.  

• Increased revenue. With the ability to easily upsell during the booking process, online reservation systems can help small businesses significantly increase their revenue without having to use any additional human resources.  

• Gain marketing insights. Since all of your customer data is organised and stored in one location, using an online booking system can help small businesses gain key marketing insights such as customer profiles and booking trends. This information can be used to inform marketing strategies and drive business growth.

• Streamlined operations. By automating booking and reservation processes, businesses can save time and money on administrative tasks, allowing staff to focus on other important aspects of the business. 

The Best Online Booking System for Small Businesses

Bookinglayer can help you easily view and manage your booking calendar.

Bookinglayer is the best online booking system for small businesses because it offers flexibility, automation, and the ability to sell dynamic, customised packages. And, while claiming to be the best in the business may seem bold, we have a 98 per cent client retention rate to back it up. 

If you run a surf hostel, dive resort, detox retreat, wave park, or other activity-focused business, our powerful booking engine is an all-in-one solution that will help you manage all of your rooms, activities, rentals, sessions, and instructors. Bookinglayer’s flexibility allows you to configure your own payment terms, packages, guest messages, and more. Using our online reservation system, you can free up more time and get your life back, all while knowing your bookings are taken care of. 

How to Get Started With Bookinglayer 

To get started with Bookinglayer, simply sign up for a demo. Our team will walk you through the platform and help you decide whether or not our software is the right fit for your business. If you decide to start working with Bookinglayer, you will receive one-on-one support from an onboarding specialist as well as detailed start up guides. 

With our intuitive interface and powerful features, you’ll be up and running in no time. Depending on the types of features you need, you can set up your online reservation system in as little as one week. Then, you can start automatically accepting bookings, processing payments, and messaging guests all while being away from your computer.

Take your business to the next level with Bookinglayer

• Accept bookings 24/7
• No commission charges
• Real human support

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Booking System for Small Businesses FAQ

What is CRM booking?

CRM booking systems help you automate your booking process while also improving and enhancing the customer experience. For example, to help you with customer relationship management, Bookinglayer not only allows you to accept online bookings, but you can also send automated messages, permit guests to make changes to their booking independently, and send digital waivers to guests through the Customer Portal.

What is a business booking system?

A business booking system is a software program that allows guests and customers to schedule or reserve a service, activity or accommodation online. In addition, online booking systems allow customers to easily pay for their booking via credit card, bank transfer, or another payment gateway.

Is it hard to make a booking website?

Making your own booking website is difficult for small business owners as they will likely need to hire a developer, if not several. This can result in a significant financial investment that just doesn’t make sense for many companies. However, there are many online booking systems for small businesses, like Bookinglayer, which offers custom solutions and affordable pricing modules.